Weight Watchers List Five Foods That Are Good For Your Heart

Weight Watchers Suzanne Mobley visited News On 6 at noon to talk about the five foods which are good for your heart.

February is American Heart Health Month and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the No. 1 cause of death globally. Maintaining a healthy weight or focusing on lifestyle changes that lead to a 5 to 10 percent loss in body weight can play a significant role in reducing the risk of heart disease.

Mobley says these five foods are not only great for your waistline, but also your heart.

1. Almonds: Almonds are a nutrition powerhouse! They contain high levels of vitamin E and many phytochemicals, compounds that may help protect you against cardiovascular disease and even some cancers. If you're concerned about over snacking on these delectable treats, bag up individual portion sizes. This way, you'll get all the health benefits without overindulging in unwanted fats.

2. Sweet Potatoes: Sweet Potatoes are loaded with the antioxidants vitamins C and beta-carotene. Antioxidants help prevent your cells from damage, and may help lower your risk of heart problems and other diseases. Next time you decide to add a side of potatoes to your dish, swap them out for sweet potatoes. A small sweet potato has only 2 points .You can make them mashed, baked or even oven-fried. Sweet potatoes can fit into a weight loss program- just go easy on the condiments.

3. Arugula: Arugula is rich in the antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene. It's also a good source of the mineral magnesium which seems to have a positive impact on blood pressure levels. Instead of using romaine or ice berg when making your favorite salad, swap it out for arugula or mix it to your favorite salad. You'll get a more intense flavor and you'll really boost your heart health efforts.

4. Black Beans: Black beans, like most beans, are a very good source of dietary fiber which can help to lower blood cholesterol levels.). One cup of canned black beans will give you almost half of what the USDA has determined as your daily fiber need. But that's not all: black beans are loaded with protein, folate, magnesium and antioxidants — about 10 times the antioxidants of oranges! Add them to a variety of dishes, including salads, rice dishes or dips.

5. Salmon: Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids which may reduce inflammation, can lower cholesterol and may aid in better heart health. There are also lots of vitamins D and B12 in salmon, as well as lower levels of saturated fat than in beef, pork or certain cuts of chicken.